Minibus Driver (Head Start)

Hillsborough County - Florida; Tampa (FL); On-site; USD 34,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

A public service position in Hillsborough County is looking for a dedicated Minibus Driver. This role involves transporting clients, including those with disabilities, while ensuring safety and performing light maintenance duties. Ideal candidates will possess a CDL and have experience in custodial work. Join a team committed to excellent service and teamwork in a supportive environment.

Qualifications

• Must have a valid Class 'C' Commercial Driver's License (CDL) with 'P' and 'S' endorsements.
• Two years of experience operating a passenger bus or similar vehicle.

Responsibilities

• Drives a minibus or van to transport clients, including those with disabilities.
• Performs routine custodial and light maintenance work.
• Inspects vehicles before and after operation for safety.

Skills

Customer Commitment

Dedication to Professionalism and Integrity

Organizational Excellence

Success through Teamwork

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Job description

Job Overview

This position is responsible for driving passenger minibuses and vans to and from pre-arranged locations; and performs maintenance and custodial duties.

Salary

$34,320 - $37,440

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate for the Head Start/Early Head Start Minibus Driver position will have a high school diploma or GED, as well as one or more years of experience completing custodial duties. Additionally, they will possess a Commercial Driver License (CDL). The ideal candidate should be able to walk or stand for long periods of time, kneel, crouch and work outside in a subtropical climate under adverse weather conditions. Additionally, they should be able to exert up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 30 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Additionally, the candidate must be able to pass Level 2 criminal history background check as well as sex offender and sexual predator record checks.

Core Competencies

• Customer Commitment - Proactively seeks to understand the needs of the customers and provide the highest standards of service.
• Dedication to Professionalism and Integrity - Demonstrates and promotes fair, honest, professional and ethical behaviors that establishes trust throughout the organization and with the public we serve.
• Organizational Excellence - Takes ownership for excellence through one's personal effectiveness and dedication to the continuous improvement of our operations.
• Success through Teamwork - Collaborates and builds partnerships through trust and the open exchange of diverse ideas and perspectives to achieve organizational goals.

Duties and Responsibilities

Note: The following duties are illustrative and not exhaustive. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position. Depending on assigned area of responsibility, incumbents in the position may perform one or more of the activities described below.

• Drives a specially equipped minibus, van or similar vehicle to transport clients, including those with physical or mental disabilities following a prescribed route and schedule.
• Performs routine custodial and light maintenance work in assigned facilities.
• Mows grass, trims hedge, sweeps and cleans sidewalks.
• Shuttles vehicles and delivers furniture, equipment and supplies.
• Inspects vehicles before and after operating to detect any mechanical malfunctions that would prevent safe delivery of passengers.
• Operates wheelchair lift and secures wheelchairs in vehicle.
• Operates vehicle radio and maintains contact with home base.
• Records daily information on passengers, trips, mileage, pickup and drop off times.
• Attends state training and testing programs or seminars as required.
• Cleans and performs minor preventative maintenance of vehicles and equipment.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Job Specifications

• Knowledge of rules and regulations governing transportation of passengers.
• Knowledge of Hillsborough County roads, streets and traffic patterns.
• Knowledge in the use of cleaning supplies and equipment.
• Some knowledge of basic vehicle mechanical functions, maintenance procedures and two way radio operations.
• Ability to safely drive a minibus, van or similar vehicle.
• Ability to safely transport children, adults and individuals with physical and/or mental disabilities.
• Ability to operate hydraulic wheelchair lift.
• Ability to read a street map.
• Ability to maintain records.
• Ability to follow oral and written instructions.
• Ability to conform to state, local and departmental standards for safety in vehicle operations.
• Ability to work effectively with others.

Physical Requirements

• Regularly required to sit; use of hands and fingers, handle or feet reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear.
• Requires ability to lift, push, pull, assist and secure wheelchair passengers and minimum 50 lbs.

Work Category

Heavy work - Exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds or force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects.

Minimum Qualifications Required

• Completion of the tenth grade; AND
• Two years of experience operating a passenger bus, passenger mini-bus, passenger van or light passenger vehicle for hire; AND
• Must obtain within 6 months of employment possession of a valid Class "C" Commercial Driver's License (CDL) with "P" (Passenger Transport) and "S" (School Bus) endorsements.
• Driver's license required

Emergency Management Responsibilities

In the event of an emergency or disaster, an employee may be required to respond promptly to duties and responsibilities as assigned by the employee’s department, the County’s Office of Emergency Management, or County Administration. Such assignments may be for before, during or after the emergency/disaster.

Additional Job Requirements

A department, depending on the nature of its mission and operations, may require that employees in all or certain positions in this job classification:

Maintain the ability to pass the background checks required for the position. These background checks may include but are not limited to:

• Criminal History Background Check using Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS).
• Level 1 and Level 2 Background screening (Ch. 435 Florida Statutes).
• Child Abuse, Abandonment and Neglect Record Check using the State Automated Child Welfare Information System (SACWIS.
• Sex Offender and Sexual Predator record check using the list maintained by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE).

Possess the necessary job-related license(s) or certification(s) that may include possession of a Florida Driver License (Class E) or an applicable Commercial Driver License (CDL).